On Thursday 18 June, by an overwhelming majority (653 votes for and six against, with 29 abstentions), the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the European Commission to present an “ambitious” post-2020 strategy for people with disabilities that involves as many policy areas as possible.
The resolution follows on from the debate held at the European Parliament plenary session last December (see EUROPE 12392/9). The resolution was ready in March but the vote on it was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In essence, MEPs are calling on the Commission, particularly Helena Dalli, the Commissioner for Equality, to develop a strategy that covers all of the provisions in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
MEPs are particularly calling for a precise definition of “disability” at European level, that cuts across all EU policy areas, in order to improve the quality of data collection at national level. MEPs believe a strategy of this kind will only work if it is accompanied by measurable objectives that are structured around planned actions within a “precise” timetable.
They are also calling for explicit acknowledgement of the forms of intersectional discrimination to which people with disabilities are particularly exposed. For example, as it was explained to us, a member of the Roma community already faces structural discrimination, which is exacerbated if they are also disabled.
MEPs amended the resolution and voted on two amendments where they call on the Commission to prepare an assessment on infringements of the rights of people with disabilities during the pandemic.
The European Commission is expected to present a new strategy in the first quarter of 2021. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)